"Philip E. High - Butterfly Planet" - читать интересную книгу автора (High Phillip E)

“Certainly. It's very simple. Divide mankind into three, the neutrals, the law and the organization. You
were a neutral, that is to say that you were unaware of what was going on. One-third of mankind are in
the same position, they are unaware of anything taking place within their midst. Both sides work hard to
keep it that way. The hard-pressed law, because complete realization on the part of the neutrals would
bring anarchy and the collapse of civilization. The opposition, because they can use it and, at the same
time, hide behind it. Again, no predator can exist without prey, and ninety billion neutrals provide an
almost fantastic revenue. The organization—hereafter referred to as the Enemy—operates behind a
legitimate front and wallows in the luxurious rake-off."

“You're trying to tell me I'm living in the middle of a war and don't know about it!” Maynard was
shocked.

Dawnson said, without malice: “You have unwittingly provided the Enemy with funds. Organized crime
took over the Trade Unions more than five centuries ago."

“How big is this thing?"
“Too big. The enemy control two-thirds of the news services, all betting, all sport, all vice and ninety-two
per cent of entertainment services. In other spheres such as the regular police, the armed services and
local and provincial government, every third man is in Enemy pay. Further, no criminal, large or small,
operates outside the Organization. If he does, the Organization itself exposes him and the police make a
spectacular arrest, much applauded by Enemy News Services for obvious reasons."

Maynard frowned at him. “It sounds as if you're on the losing side."

“We're outnumbered by approximately four hundred and twenty to one,” said the woman, Maureen.
“We have our backs to the wall and the Enemy knows it. Every vehicle we possess is known and we
suspect that they have a complete dossier on each and every one of our operatives. Our only assets are a
higher degree of efficiency and, in an outmoded philosophy, a greater degree of sheer dedication."

“Bluntly,” said Dawnson, taking up the words, “this is war and, once again, how do you like your change
of status?"

Maynard scowled at him. “I would say I had been mobilized. How do you know I'll suit?"

“We don't, and if you don't we'll have to turn you loose. We can't afford passengers. Sorry to be so
brutal but this is war. Perhaps the tapes will turn up something helpful or, maybe, under routine tests, you
may have the makings of an efficient operative."

He laughed briefly. “Off the record, I'd say you stood a good chance. That smack in Grimmond's
stomach when you escaped places you in theelite class."

Before Maynard could comment, the taxi stopped and the door slid open.

When he stepped out, he found himself in artificial light with a roof over his head.

Dawnson waved his arm vaguely at the roof. “Can't leave a vehicle in the open. The Enemy are too smart
with their remote-control saboteuring devices. Come on, there are experts waiting to talk to you..."

The experts looked like businessmen and the ‘talk’ was virtually a grilling.